DISEASES OF THE CIRCULATORY SYSTEM. 185 



Pain is rare, but there is usually anxiety and hurried 

 breathing. 



In paroxysmal attacks depending upon nerve-irritation 

 and disturbance, there may be fainting and actual syncope. 



Treatment of Palpitation. — When palpitation is depen- 

 dent upon anaemia and general debility, tonics, especially 

 salts of iron, are indicated, and the diet should be nutritious 

 and digestible. 



When it results from nervous excitement, quietude should 

 be enjoined. Internally, digitalis and potassium, bromide 

 and belladonna, are valuable remedies. Chloric ether, 

 opium, and hydrocyanic acid are also of great efficacy. 



In very bad cases, Fleming's tincture of aconite, in 6 to 

 8 minim doses, has proved very successful in the treatment 

 of this complaint. 



When the palpitation is the result of cardiac or pul- 

 monary disease, it is treated in connection with the disease 

 with which it is associated. 



Irregularity.— Irregularity of the heart's action may 

 affect either the rhythm or the force of the beat, and is of 

 more serious importance than palpitation. It is probably 

 closely related to defective nutrition of the substance of the 

 heart itself. 



It is common in dilatation of the heart. 



Irregularity of force is common in the horse in incompe- 

 tence of the mitral valves with dilatation of the left 

 ventricle. 



Intermittence. — Intermittence of the heart's action is a 

 still more serious indication of cardiac failure than palpita- 

 tion and irregularity. It is due to temporary arrest of the 

 ventricular systole. It may arise from imperfect filling of 

 the ventricle, as in fatty heart, or from great obstruction to 

 the outflow of the blood, as in aortic obstruction. It may 

 be of purely nervous origin. 



